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Three-dimensional modeling and animation are indispensable tools for communication. Sometimes there can be no better way to explain a concept to prospective customers or clients than to show them a 3D model.

Complex ideas can be expressed more effectively. A well-made 3D model can begin exposing flaws or areas of needed improvement in a conceptual design before real-world physical versions are created, reducing development time and saving money. And of course, 3D models can be used to create immersive, captivating animations that can dazzle customers and clients and draw them in to close the sale.

SI360 Finale Special Credits Scene

Succeeding At Failing Online
University of Michigan

When we switched over to online course delivery in Fall 2020, I knew that our students were stressed. Since we had heavily leaned on the idea of a "studio", I thought it would be fun to have a studio cat named Louie (who was supposed to be keeping the studio free of rodents) that was moonlighting with his own podcast.

Virtual Production Studio

Succeeding At Failing Online
University of Michigan

When events in 2020 led to online learning, we could tell that student engagement was waning. We wanted to level up our course production values to help keep the students' attention.

Since we didn't have access to a production studio of our own, I decided to create one in 3D using Autodesk's Maya. By filming the instructor against green screen backgrounds, and rendering studio backgrounds to match, we ended up creating one of the most engaging courses at the university.

SI360 Online Lecture (Sample)

Succeeding At Failing Online
University of Michigan

In addition to our custom-tailored virtual studio and green screen backgrounds, Walt brought over a dozen amazing one-take lectures. 

We created two course videos per week that students were literally waiting online refreshing the page to watch them the moment they were uploaded. Some of them told us their parents would sit and watch our videos with them.

Virtual Production Studio Office

Succeeding At Failing Online
University of Michigan

We couldn't build a real studio office, so I designed a virtual studio office for the instructor that appeared as if its windows overlooked the studio we were using in the course videos.

By matching the background and perspective of the room he was broadcasting from, I was able to fashion a background render that, combined with his own green screen in his home, placed the instructor "on-set" for the live courses. (Walt always dressed to the nines for the actual courses!)

Customer Service Demo Station

Convergys

When Convergys was planning to build their new briefing center in their Atrium HQ building, they asked me to conceptualize a way to demonstrate our customer service technology to visiting clients and dignitaries.

I designed a custom-built desk from scratch that would allow someone to play the part of the customer and another to play the representative. By having multiple technology gadgets on hand, they would be able to illustrate a range of services across the spectrum.

Briefing Center Reception Desk

Convergys

As part of the Convergys Briefing Center project, they had been developing a massive blueprint/strategy book to coincide with the initiative, and to help explain the project to others.

Although they had included floor plans for the new center in the print book, they realized they had no images as to what the reception desk area would look like.

Instead of going back to the costly corporate architecture firm, they asked me to come up with some hypothetical images based on the provided floorplans.

Truss Project Structural Diagrams

Performance Truss

Performance Truss had developed an innovative and safer truss design, but was having a problem explaining the benefits to potential customers. They asked for my help to develop a number of diagrams to show off their technology.

The truss images show the innovative diagonal support in the segment's center which prevents torsion stresses from twisting the truss span to failure. They also showed the pin locks which safely held the segments together.

The pavilion diagrams explain how Performance Truss engineering techniques prevent large structures from collapsing due to wind stress.

I also provided a few extra renders on an additional project to help them explain to trade show crews how to set up their booth structures.

DirecTV and AT&T Service Mascots

Convergys

One of the things our internal media team at Convergys specialized in was getting panicked calls from the Sales teams on a Thursday evening when their sales efforts were lacking the needed "wow-factor". Of course, the sales pitches were always one week away at that point.

Our group developed a specialized kiosk network to be placed in physical big box stores (in DirecTV's case) and actual phone stores (in AT&T's case). For each project, I developed animated characters like Dex (for DirecTV) and Watson (for AT&T). These characters were compiled into animated mascots that were driven by our artificially intelligent chat bot system.

3D Data Center Model

NuVox (Windstream)

Constructed for an interactive data center tour, this abstracted version of a data center contains all of the main features of NuVox data centers, including the server rooms, power systems, environmental/cooling systems, monitoring personnel, meeting spaces, and security.

Systems like fire suppression and emergency power backup capabilities helped to round out the tour.
 
I got my first taste of 3D design at the University of Florida in 1990, working with Autodesk’s AutoCAD on SGI workstations in the School of Architecture. I continued using AutoCAD for my drafting studies and even for creating graphics and theater programs.

My love for 3D animation dates back to movies like TRON and The Last Starfighter, but the world of high-end 3D animation really took off in the mid-to-late 1990s. When I learned Alias|Wavefront’s Maya 3D was used for the pod racing scene in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, as well as the water and other special effects in Titanic, I acquired a free student copy and dove head-first into the modern world of 3D modeling and animation.

What can 3D animation do for your next business or organizational initiative? Contact me today and let’s find out!
 
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Copyright ©2026 by Daniel McDonald.